The European Research Network on Philanthropy (ERNOP) has launched an event series aiming to bridge the academic-practice divide in philanthropy. Comprised of monthly seminars beginning Tuesday, 23 March, the events will cover a broad range of topics, including taxation and philanthropy, sustaining voluntary energy, impact investing, and media perception of philanthropy.

‘An important source for innovation and growth comes from research and development’ said ERNOP in a statement about the online seminar series.

‘Members of ERNOP produce the best of research on philanthropy within the continent, but for several reasons only limited output makes it to the board rooms, decision tables, policies and practice of philanthropic organisations. The gap between production and usage of academic knowledge is a waste of valuable resources, which we can no longer afford.’

The first seminar in the series is on 23 March and will feature Lucas Meys from the Department of Business-Society Management at the Rotterdam School of Management speaking on the subject of sustaining voluntary energy.

‘Volunteers are an important resource for many organisations, and are maybe becoming increasingly scarce,’ said ERNOP about the course.

Another seminar later in the year will address the media perception of philanthropy with Dr Beth Breeze from the Centre for Philanthropy at the University of Kent.

‘Media coverage matters because it validates and affirms wider conceptions that are held in society,’ ERNOP said. ‘By drawing attention to the ways in which media representations can depict private giving as, at best, unusual and, at worse, intrinsically problematic, we can better understand why critiques of philanthropists are growing and are being well-received, despite awareness as we emerge from the global pandemic, of the need for more and more effective giving.’

For a schedule of the seminars or to register visit ernop.eu.